Chapter 532: The Gate of Benevolence

As the root chakra and navel chakra were successively ignited, the energy within the abdominal chakra also recovered to its peak; the three resonated with one another, and a preliminary energy cycle quietly formed within Hua Changxi's body.

Hua Changxi's confidence surged, and she attempted to guide her qi and blood force to break through to the heart chakra.

However, contrary to her wishes, no matter how she guided the assault, she found it impossible to ignite the heart chakra.

Helpless, Hua Changxi could only end her cultivation; while internally observing the seven chakras within her body, she carefully studied the eighth chapter of the "Nine Transformations of the Mysterious Art."

The root chakra is the anchor of the earth and the foundation of the Dao; the abdominal chakra is the source of power and the rule of strength; the navel chakra is the source of life and the rhythm of birth; the heart chakra is the source of benevolence and the constancy of the heart; the throat chakra is the source of speech spirits and the trust of words; the brow chakra is the source of penetration and the clarity of observation; the crown chakra is the crown connecting to heaven and the container of the sky.

After summarizing and refining these concepts, Hua Changxi concluded that even physical cultivation must ultimately focus on cultivating the body and the mind.

It was just that the heart chakra...

"The source of benevolence?"

Great, now even physical cultivation required one to practice universal love.

Hua Changxi felt somewhat speechless, somewhat helpless, and somewhat despairing.

At this moment, her path of cultivation seemed blocked.

Whether cultivating spiritual energy or refining the body, she was stuck at the so-called 'Gate of Benevolence.'

Unable to continue cultivating, Hua Changxi left the Zhurong Tomb in a gloomy mood.

The moment she exited the Zhurong Tomb, her already furrowed brow immediately knotted into a tight ball.

Here it comes again!

That sense of crisis, like a sword hanging over her head, struck her heart once more, and this time, the feeling was even more intense than before she had descended into the Ninth Netherworld.

"What exactly is going on?"

With a heavy heart, Hua Changxi mounted her Somersault Cloud, flew high into the sky, and while patrolling, carefully sensed that thread of crisis entangling her heart.

When passing over various blessed lands and heavenly caves, the sense of crisis diminished slightly.

However, when passing over Nanxiang County town, the sense of crisis reached its peak, actually making her feel a palpable throb in her heart.

Could it be that some great crisis lurks within Nanxiang County town?

Thinking thus, Hua Changxi quietly descended and, like an ordinary cultivator, stepped into Nanxiang County town.

The moment she entered the city, that tightly drawn string relaxed.

Inside the county town, the common people were stable, presenting a scene of complete harmony.

Pedestrians on the streets walked with ease and composure.

Shops along the street featured hawking cries rising and falling, exuding vigorous vitality.

At regular intervals, soldiers of the Zhu Que Army, clad in crimson armor, could be seen patrolling along the streets.

Passersby merely stepped aside out of habit, their eyes revealing not fear, but genuine respect and trust.

Cultivators bearing spiritual power also mingled within the crowd, brushing shoulders with ordinary commoners without any sense of being out of place.

Wherever Hua Changxi's gaze fell, she saw faces that were vivid and content.

In Nanxiang County, cultivators were not aloof existences, nor was the iron armor of the Zhu Que Army a symbol of coldness; together, they formed the very texture of this county town, creating a harmonious picture of strict military discipline and peace for all people.

Watching this vibrant scene of marketplace life, Hua Changxi's evaluation of Song Weimin rose to yet another level.

Subsequently, while soaking in the rich earthly atmosphere of the city, she extended her divine sense to carefully investigate every area within the county town.

She discovered nothing unusual!

"Where exactly is this sense of crisis coming from?"

Frowning, Hua Changxi went to the county yamen in the city center and, without alerting anyone, slipped into Song Weimin's office.

She wanted to have a talk with Song Weimin.

As the County Magistrate of Nanxiang County, Song Weimin managed the livelihood of the people; perhaps he had noticed something she had missed.

After discussing the development issues of Nanxiang County with his subordinates for quite some time, Song Weimin held a thick stack of documents containing their collective wisdom and hurried back to his office with brisk steps.

As he pushed open the door, a rich aroma of spiritual tea wafted toward his face.

Song Weimin instinctively looked up, only to find that a human figure had silently appeared inside the room.

"Ah~"

A short cry of surprise escaped his lips; Song Weimin jumped back half a step in fright, but upon clearly recognizing the visitor's face, his tensed nerves suddenly relaxed, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

He hastily stepped forward, bowing respectfully, his tone carrying a mix of helplessness and familiarity: "Hall Master, why have you come? Appearing so silently gave me quite a scare. As it happens, I was just about to go find you."

Hua Changxi said nothing, merely raising her fair hand, where a faint glimmer of spiritual light flickered at her fingertips.

"Hum~"

An invisible wave instantly expanded, covering the entire room in an instant and completely isolating the interior from the exterior.

Only after setting up the isolation array did Hua Changxi put down her teacup and look at Song Weimin: "You wanted to see me about something?"

Nodding, Song Weimin sat down opposite her at Hua Changxi's gesture: "I wish to discuss the development issues of Nanxiang County with you."

Hua Changxi looked at him: "Did I not entrust livelihood development entirely to you? As long as it benefits the common people and Nanxiang County, feel free to proceed as you see fit."

Seeing such trust from Hua Changxi, Song Weimin's expression brightened, and he smiled: "Thank you for the Hall Master's trust. However, the implementation of certain matters requires your approval and support."

Hua Changxi said: "Speak; I am listening."

Song Weimin looked at her with burning eyes, making no attempt to hide his ambition: "This official wishes for Nanxiang County to develop and grow even further."

Hua Changxi raised an eyebrow: "How do you intend to develop and grow it further?"

Song Weimin replied: "The development of a region lies not only in the size of its territory but also in how many people remain upon that land."

"This official wishes to introduce policies to attract more cultivators to settle in Nanxiang County."

"Cultivators all have families, and not everyone can cultivate; thus, as cultivators settle down, the number of ordinary commoners will increase accordingly."

Hua Changxi's eyes flashed: "What policies do you intend to implement?"

Song Weimin glanced at Hua Changxi, took a deep breath, and said: "Vigorously construct market districts and open the blessed lands and heavenly caves to ordinary cultivators."

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi did not immediately respond.

Seeing that she had neither agreed nor disagreed, Song Weimin, fearing she might refuse, quickly stepped forward and added with sincere earnestness:

"Hall Master, rumors are now spreading throughout the cultivation community that Nanxiang County sits upon the ruins of Nanxiangcheng. During ancient times, Nanxiangcheng was one of the ten supreme powers on the Central Continent."

"As the recovery of spiritual energy deepens day by day, an era where ten thousand immortals rise together has arrived. At that time, the number and quality of cultivators will absolutely be the primary criteria for measuring whether a city is prosperous and thriving."

"Looking at the present situation, factions across the Central Continent are springing up like bamboo shoots after rain, but in terms of far-reaching fame and towering prestige, who can compare to the Zhu Que Army under your command, Hall Master?"

"Now that various factions are vying for control of the world, the core contest lies in recruiting and absorbing cultivators from all over."

Speaking to this point, a trace of excitement and anticipation entered Song Weimin's voice:

"With the Zhu Que Army stationed here to guard it, Nanxiang County will become a pure land amidst this chaotic age, surely stable, peaceful, and a place where people can live and work in contentment!"

"Under such renowned prestige, if we can seize the opportunity to recruit cultivators from all directions, we will not only strengthen our Nanxiang but also protect a group of commoners amidst the turmoil."

He paused, then looked at Hua Changxi with burning eyes and continued his analysis: "Regardless of whether Nanxiang County is willing or not, it will inevitably be dragged into the struggle among heroes in the future. Seizing the initiative now will bring a hundred benefits and not a single harm."

Hua Changxi looked at Song Weimin: "Have you considered what to do if we attract people here but fail to protect them?"

Song Weimin was momentarily stunned: "With the Zhu Que Army present, why should we worry about being unable to protect the commoners?"

Hua Changxi did not answer but countered with a question: "After you returned to Nanxiang County, did you sense anything unusual?"

Song Weimin shook his head: "No. What unusual thing is the Hall Master referring to?"

Needing someone to discuss matters with, Hua Changxi did not hide the truth: "I always feel that Nanxiang County is shrouded in an ominous aura."

Song Weimin frowned: "That shouldn't be the case. Nowadays, Nanxiang County is developing smoothly; the commoners live and work in contentment, there is no war, and no one fears for their life from day to day. Where does this omen come from?"

Hua Changxi shook her head: "It is just a feeling, a very strong sense of crisis."

Song Weimin glanced at Hua Changxi: "This subordinate dares to ask, is the Hall Master nearing a breakthrough?"

Hua Changxi uttered a sound of surprise: "Hmm?"

Song Weimin immediately said: "Every time this subordinate is about to break through and advance, I perceive a sense of crisis... Perhaps the crisis you sense does not come from Nanxiang County, but from the heavenly tribulation trial accompanying your breakthrough."

Hua Changxi understood Song Weimin's meaning, but after a brief thought, she dismissed it.

With the appearance of the white火星, the barrier blocking her breakthrough to the Spirit Platform Realm had indeed loosened.

However, if what she felt were truly the threat of the heavenly tribulation faced when breaking through a realm, it should not be limited by location.

Yet, this current sense of crisis exists only within the boundaries of Nanxiang County.

Observing the expression on Hua Changxi's face, Song Weimin steered the topic back: "This subordinate knows that the Hall Master bears heavy responsibilities, so your considerations are naturally far-reaching."

"However, regarding the absorption of cultivators and their families to settle in Nanxiang County, we are not forcing anyone, but merely offering them an additional choice amidst this chaotic world."

"If they choose to come, even if some turmoil truly arises in Nanxiang County in the future, that will be the consequence of their own choice."

"Nowadays, is there any place more suitable for commoners to settle than Nanxiang County?"